Showing their appreciation and support to those serving in the military, Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) is partnering with the United Service Organizations (USO) to bring entertainment to the troops this holiday season. The company is using its chart-busting video game franchises Call of Duty and Guitar Hero to make a difference in the lives of service members around the world, offering them a taste of home and giving them a break from their day to day duties.
"Through this partnership we are able to bring joy to troops that are serving across the globe this holiday season," said Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing. "The USO is an extraordinary organization and we are committed to working together to develop opportunities that show our support for the troops and celebrate their continued service to our country."
Veterans Day will mark the official start of the holiday promotion when Activision releases the highly-anticipated Call of Duty: World at War. For the launch, Activision and GameStop, the world's largest videogame and entertainment software retailer, will host pre-release events at GameStop locations in San Francisco (151 Powell St.) and Washington, D.C. (Pentagon City Mall, 1100 S. Hayes St. Arlington, VA). Fans of the game can play in real-time, tournament-style competitions against active servicemen and women stationed at Fort Drum, NY, and 29 Palms, CA.
An $10 donation will be made by Activision to the USO for every copy of the game that is purchased, up to $20,000 total, at the Washington, D.C., GameStop store during the pre-release event. For more information, visit www.gamestop.com/codworldatwar.
Additionally, Activision is partnering with 98.7 Fm (KYSR in Los Angeles) on a Guitar Hero World Tour promotion to support the release of the 2008 98.7 FM Live CD Project. Portions of the CD sales will be donated to the USO to provide assistance and services for troops around the world. The CD is a studio-series compilation of live recordings by popular Los Angeles radio station 98.7 FM of artists that have performed at the exclusive 98.7 Lounge, including: Seether, Finger Eleven, Gavin Rossdale, OneRepublic, Three Doors Down, Ludo and many more. The CD launch party will be held on November 21 at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, where military personnel who show their military id will be able to enter the park for free. The CD will be available for purchase at 987fm.com beginning November, 24th.
Further showing its support, Activision has donated more than $100,000 worth of the top-selling video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for use in USO gaming lounges and mobile USO fleets both on U.S. military bases and across the globe.